Adrien leaves the park.  He looks around for Marinette.  He finds her on the steps outside the courthouse.  He sees the sad look in her eyes.  He  goes to her and sits down beside her.

      "Marinette, why did you not tell me?"  Adrien ask.

     "Tell you what exactly?"  Marinette says.

     "You know that Luka was the one who hurt you?"  Adrien says.

     "What good would it have done anyway?"  Marinette replies.

     "It is not like he could make himself return my love."  Marinette says sadly.

      "Marinette, he is dumb to have given you up!" Adrien says.

      "Adrien, I am not worth it."  Marinette says as she looks at the ground.

    "What?  Marinette, do not ever say that about yourself! "  Adrien says.

     Marinette looks at him surprise. She sees the pain in his eyes. She wonders, what put it there?  Who hurt my friend?

     "Mari, I mean it.  You may be my friend, but believe me you are worth it."  Adrien says.

      "Adrien?"  Marinette says with wonder in her eyes.

     "Yes, Mari?" Adrien says. He reaches up and gently touches her face with his hand.

     Marinette does not look away this time. She looks at him and thinks, wait why do not I pull away?   

      "Who was she?  Who hurt you?"  Marinette says.

     "It does not really matter."  Adrien says.

     " It does too.  Someone made you hurt, I can see the pain in your eyes.  It is there rather you want it to be or not."  Marinette says.

      "Look, it not your fault.  My parents got divorced when I was little. Soon after this my mother died.  I always felt like some how I was to blame.  Maybe if I had been a better son she would have stayed.  " Adrien says.

      "Adrien, there is no way she left because of you.  I refuse to believe that of her.  I am sure she loved you." Marinette says.

     "My father does not  love me.  He never has and I am used to it by now."  Adrien says.

    "How can you say such a thing?" Marinette says.

    "It is true, I mean he always wanted me to model and the day I gave it up, he was furious." Adrien says.

   "It could not have been that bad."  Marinette says.

    "Oh, but it was, Mari."  Adrien says.

     "Really, what happened?"  Marinette ask.

      "He told me that no son of his would be an author and still be a part of his family.  I told him fine if that is the way it has to be then, so be it.  I am no longer your son. "  Adrien says. 

     Marinette gasps. She puts a hand over her face. She can not believe her ears.  

    "Mari, look none of this is your fault, so do not be upset."  Adrien says.

     "How can I not be?  You are my friend, and your father is dreadful!  I am the one who told you to pursue your dreams though.  So, you see it is my fault!"  Marinette says. She cries all over again.

    "Mari, please!  Do not cry!" Adrien says.

     "I can not stop.  It is my fault!  It really is why if it were not for me you would still ..." Marinette says.

    "No!"  Adrien says.  He hugs her and thinks, please Marinette do ever blame yourself for my relationship troubles with my father.

    "Mari, believe me!  My father was not the same after my mother left.  "  Adrien says.

     "A-are you sure?"  Marinette ask.

    "Yes, I am sure."  Adrien says.

    "Adrien, is there anyone special in your life?"  Marinette ask.

    "I beg your pardon!"  Adrien says.

    "Oh, I never meant to pry. I will go!"  Marinette says as she stands up.  She begins to walk off.

     "Wait!  Wait!"  Adrien says. He grabs her arm.

      Marinette turns around to look at him.  She wonders, what is it?  Why did you just grab me? She does not pull away, or try to get him to release his grip on her.

      "I have no one special in my life."  Adrien says.  He thinks, I wish you could by my special one. He blushes and tries to shove the crazy thought away.

       "Oh, well, it is okay.  I am sure some day you will."  Marinette says.

      "Yes, perhaps, maybe someday."  Adrien says.  

      " Look, I really must go now."  Marinette says.

    "Yeah, I know."   Adrien says.  

   "See you later!" Marinette says.

    "Y-yeah, S-see you l-later, M-Marinette!"  Adrien says.  He blushes as he watches her walk away.  

      Adrien's  POV:  Great, I am in love with her like Luka says! Some good that does me.  She will never look at me the way she does her ex boyfriend.  How could she?   The guy is an alright famous guy, and he is a musician to boot.  What chance do I an book writer have against a guy like him?    As far as Marinette goes there is no way she will ever love me, right?

    Marinette goes home. She has no idea why , but some how the talk with Adrien makes her feel better.  She sighs. She thinks, why does his company always seem to lift my sadness away?  What could it all mean?

      Marinette's  POV:  Adrien and I have all been friends for a short time.  Yet, he seems to be happy to spend time with me.  I can not ever think  of any reason why though, I mean sure I am a designer, but so what?  He is not a model anymore.  Now, he is a famous author!  I am happy for him when it comes to his success, but I feel sorry for him that his father disowned him for it.  Why that is the most ridiculous thing I ever heard in my life.  It is even worse then the fact Luka dumped me!  That in itself, is tough though.  I really thought for a minute there before the break up that he would ask me to marry him!  Why did I ever let myself fall in love with Luka?   He just a heart breaker.  He is not even worth it.   Yet, I still love him!  Oh, what is the matter with me, why can I not just move on already?

    Two months later,  Adrien and Marinette are closer now than they used to be.  Marinette has found herself less upset about the whole broken relationship with Luka and more happy to see Adrien instead.  She can not quite put her finger on it yet, but there is just something nice about this Agreste boy.   

 Published January 22,2019 and Edits Done January 26,2019

   to be continued in Chapter  3  What on Earth is Going On?